Gene expression response in peripheral blood cells of petroleum workers exposed to sub-ppm benzene levels

Summary

Altered gene expression in pathways relevant to leukaemogenesis, as well as reduced
levels of circulating lymphocytes, have been reported in workers that were exposed to benzene
concentrations below 1 ppm. In this study, we analysed whole blood global gene expression patterns
in a worker cohort with altered levels of T cells and immunoglobulins IgM and IgA at three time
points; pre-shift, post-shift (after three days), and post-recovery (12 hours later). Eight benzene
exposed tank workers performing maintenance work in crude oil cargo tanks with a mean benzene
exposure of 0.3 ppm (range 0.1–0.5 ppm) and five referents considered to be unexposed were examined
by gene expression arrays. By using our data as independent validation, we reanalysed selected genes
that were reported to be altered from previous studies of workers being exposed to sub-ppm benzene
levels Four out of six genes previously proposed as marker genes in chronically exposed workers
separated benzene exposed workers from unexposed referents (CLEC5, ACSL1, PRG2, IFNB1).
Even better separation of benzene exposed workers and referents was observed for short-term
exposure for genes in the Jak-STAT pathway, particularly elevated expression of IL6 and reduced
expression of IL19.

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DOI : doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112385
NVA : hdl.handle.net/11250/2584375